I was recently copied on an email alerting and scaring the email distribution about a decade old scam. The infamous 90# scam targets businesses. You or one of your employees receive a phone call from the phone company. They are requesting assistance in troubleshooting phone lines (aren't you honored that Ma Bell is calling you for help?). The caller asks that you press 9, then 0, then #, and asks you to hang up. They have a dial tone on your phone line, they dial a long distance call to their friends, and you get the bill.
Truth or legend? Both!
Do you dial 9 to get an outside line? If not, the 90# scam will not work. Therefore it doesn't affect residential customers as often implied (that's the legend). The truth is that the scam only works in "organizations" that use PBX equipment (Private Branch Exchanges).
With a little knowledge and education you can foil the scam and many more like it.
The scam
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